RFA Robert Francois hoping to stay with the Packers

Green Bay --- And In other restricted free agent news, Robert Francois has not been tendered yet by the Green Bay Packers. Chances are, Tuesday's deadline comes and goes for the back-up inside linebacker.

But either way, Francois is hoping to stay in Green Bay.

“Without a doubt," said one of Francois' agents, Noel LaMontagne. "They brought him in. They gave him the opportunity. He’s been through the highs and lows there and obviously that organization is built for long-term success and Rob wants to be a part of it."

LaMontagne wouldn't completely rule out a tender, but said Francois understands the strain the Packers are under financially. If he does enter the open market, the fourth-year linebacker will be inclined to stay put. In three years, he has developed into one of the team's core special teams players. There's also some uncertainty at his position. Desmond Bishop (hamstring) and D.J. Smith (knee) are returning from season-ending injuries and A.J. Hawk's future remains up in the air.

As his agent said, Francois' "sweat equity" could pay off at some point.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Francois didn't play one snap on defense last season, but is intrigued by the opportunity for growth in Green Bay.

"If he goes someplace else — not to say he’d be a piece of the puzzle somewhere else — but he’s got to start over," LaMontagne said. "All that sweat equity is gone. You’d have to prove yourself on a new roster, prove yourself to a new coaching staff. Even though there are people spread out through the league that know him, there’s no place like home. That’s definitely something that he hopes to be able to capitalize on.”

LaMontagne, as well as other agents, isn't a big fan of the new RFA guidelines. The lowest tender, carrying the right of first refusal, is $1.323 million. That doesn't help players in Francois' position. Considering the Packers have several other costly decisions to make, they're probably hoping to re-sign Francois at the minimum.

However you slice it, LaMontagne said "Green Bay wants him back." And while Francois' only action on defense to date was injury relief in 2011 -- when he picked off two passes -- he'd like to stick around.

The two sides did talk about Francois' role moving forward.

“I’m cautiously optimistic," the agent said. "I think Green Bay, in talking to them, I have a good idea how they feel about Rob and Rob is aware of that. And we’ve asked some important questions in terms of his future and his role and everything and the opportunity that’s going to be there. Now, it just comes down to actually comparing apples to apples and making sure that it makes the most sense for him moving forward one way or another — either to stick around Green Bay or see if the grass might be greener on the other side.

“His gut instinct is to not assume that the grass is greener, which I think is a healthy perspective.”

About Tyler Dunne

Tyler Dunne covers the Green Bay Packers. He has been on the beat since 2011, winning awards with the Pro Football Writers of America and Milwaukee Press Club.